LONDON/BRUSSELS - Britain is seeking to persuade fellow
European Union members to postpone by up to six months a ban on providing
insurance for tankers carrying Iranian oil, arguing that it could lead to a
damaging spike in oil prices, European diplomats said.

A European Union ban on
importing Iranian oil, which takes effect on July 1, will also prevent EU
insurers and reinsurers from covering tankers carrying its crude anywhere in the
world.

`The impact of the measure is likely to be felt strongly in London's
financial district, the center for marine insurance. Iran exports most of its
2.2 million barrels of oil per day to Asia.

The four main buyers - China, India,
Japan and South Korea - have yet to find a way to replace the predominantly
Western insurance shipping cover provided by London insurers.

The sanctions seek
to stem the flow of petrodollars to Tehran to force it to halt a nuclear
program that the West suspects is intended to produce weapons. Some Indian and
Chinese firms have already asked state insurers to step in and provide coverage
by offering government guarantees.

The situation is more complicated for Japan
and South Korea, which have already cut imports of Iranian oil under pressure
from Washington, but need Western protection and indemnity (P&I) ship
insurance to continue importing the remaining volumes. "Britain will be pushing
the EU to postpone the ban on P&I insurance by six months," said one
diplomatic source.

"The main reason is pressure from Japan and South Korea as
they would struggle to buy oil after July 1," the source said.

He said Britain
feared oil prices could rise sharply as a result of disruptions caused by the
lack of insurance after July 1, as Japan and South Korea would be forced to bid
aggressively for alternative supplies to meet their needs. A second European
diplomatic source said he was aware of the British initiative.

Both sources said Britain's proposal had yet to win support
from other EU members, including France, which has been pushing for the toughest
stance on Iran. But in Asia, some shippers welcomed the proposal.

Against the background of these developments. another round of talks with Iran about its nuclear program is scheduled for May 23 in Baghdad, but
Iran has said it wants a softening of sanctions first.